WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Holy Cross men's golf team brought home their first victory of the spring season earlier this week in the Spring Invitational hosted by Taylor (Ind.) University. The Saints took a one-stroke lead at the conclusion of round which ultimately brought them the tournament championship as Tuesday's weather would not permit the teams to continue playing. With the win, first year head coach T.J. Mannenpicked up his first career win as head coach of the Saints.

"I was very impressed by our guy's tenacity and determination to finish the round and stay focused," Mannen stated. "The first career win is nice, but I'm so focused on winning conference and advancing to nationals that it hasn't really sunk in yet."

In their final event before the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) tournament, the Saints got great production from all six golfers at the Taylor Spring Invitational. Two players finished in the top-six individually and the entire team finished in the top-12.

Michael Fitzgerald (SR/Flossmoor, Ill.) led the way for the Saints with a round of 75 and a second place finish. Matthew Code (SR/Belleville, Ontario, Canada), Chris Noble (JR/Niles, Mich.), Ted Rider (FR/Vicksburg, Mich.) and Cody Richardson (SO/Howe, Ind.) all contributed rounds of 81 to bring the Saints to their team score of 318.

Drew Brodbeck (SR/Stillwater, Minn.) added a round of 78 as an individual, placing him in a tie for sixth place in the field.

With the score of 318, the Saints edged out Taylor (Ind.) by one stroke as they brought home their first event championship of 2014.

"The conditions were not ideal, but we got great production from all six of our guys," continued Mannen. "We are peaking at the right time going into our conference tournament next week."

The Saints will wrap up their 2014 season with a trip to nationals on the line as they head to George Dunne National in Oak Forest, Ill. for the 2014 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) tournament championship. The 36-hole event will begin on Monday, April 21 and concluded on Tuesday, April 22.